Gear Review: Simms Latitude BiComp Bottoms
by Chris King
I had a chance to try out a pair of the Simms integrated tights and shorts on a recent trip to The Villages on Christmas Island. Coupled with my sun shirts, Simms Sungaiter, and Simms Sungloves, this is one of the first saltwater trips where I did not get torched by the sun. The Latitude BiComp Bottoms offer a protection of UPF 50+ and they move with you and never feel restricting or binding in any way. They fit tightly enough in the right areas to discourage chafing when walking all day in wet, salty clothing and they never bound up or pinched in the wrong areas.
The “tight” thing is something all of us need to get behind. They don’t flutter in the wind when standing on the deck, they don’t balloon up when walking in thigh or waist deep water, and they never felt hot on even the warmest days. They also do a great job of protecting against cuts and scrapes when you are in a coral-scaped wonderland and the next flight out to the nearest medical attention is a week away. This is not the time or place to get an infection.
There are pockets on the shorts that are mesh so they never fill with water, a good design, though I never found myself using the pockets. Honestly, I might have if they had zippers. The shorts also include belt loops but I found that the drawstring in the waist band was plenty to hold them in place for the day. The inseam on the shorts is 5 inches with a slight cut on the sides at the hip. In my opinion this would be better at 7 or even 9 inches, with an inseam that fits more like a pair of board shorts.
I will admit that I felt a bit like Peter Pan and found myself skipping to the boat one morning. But, when you are out on the flats chasing critters and your mind is ever so far away from your adult responsibilities, shouldn’t we feel forever young?
Features & Benefits:
- Sun Protection – UPF 50+ keeps you protected from harsh UV rays
- Scrape and abrasion protection
- Quick-draining pockets – reduces drag and weight
- Drawstring waist – keeps your bottoms where they’re supposed to be
- Reduced drag in the water – no additional, loose material to cause drag when wading
- Moves with you without binding or pinching
- Feeling like a kid again
Give me a call or send me an email to learn more about new flats fishing garb!
Chris King
Travel Specialist
chris@theflyshop.com | 800-669-3474 | 530-222-3555